Dear Friends:

Safer Schools
On Monday, I introduced a City Council resolution calling for the creation of a new hotline for parents, teachers, and students to report and help prevent violence occurring in Baltimore City public schools. Reports of suspected gang activity, threats and acts of violence are all very serious matters. We need to establish a better system that allows students, parents and teachers to report actionable information directly to school police and top school administrators.

The resolution also seeks to examine ways to use Baltimore City's existing 311 Call Center technologies to collect and share data and more effectively target resources to individual schools. By removing bureaucratic barriers and opening a direct line of communication, we can reduce violence in our schools and keep our students and teachers safe.

We need a hotline number that students, parent and teachers can easily memorize and use anonymously if they feel threatened, witness violence or suspect gang activity. Just as important, we need to track the data from these calls that come in and compare it to discipline data from each school. This will increase accountability with principals and ensure consistency with school suspension policies. School CEO Dr. Andrés Alonso has been a tremendous partner working with the City Council to improve our public schools, and I look forward to working with Dr. Alonso and the School Board to move this idea towards implementation.

Safer Streets
Yesterday, I joined Mayor Sheila Dixon and State's Attorney Patricia Jessamy to run in the 7th Annual St. Joseph Medical Center "Run to Remember." The 5K run honors the fallen heroes of September 11th and benefits the Baltimore Police Foundation and Baltimore Fire Department. Every year on September 11th, we honor those who gave their lives to protect us. We will never forget their ultimate sacrifice, and we offer a living tribute to them by supporting the needs of our City's police and firefighters.

In July, I challenged Mayor Dixon's and State's Attorney Jessamy's offices to participate in the run. With 31 individuals joining our team we had the highest percentage of participation in the race. Brandon Scott, a community outreach liaison from my office—and a former Mervo High School track star—had the fastest running time.

In previous years, the St. Joseph "Run to Remember" has helped the Baltimore Mounted Police Unit, equipped city police cars with defibrillators, and raised funds for police and fire departments in the Gulf region damaged by Hurricane Katrina. In 2007 funding was provided to the Baltimore Police K-9 Unit to purchase a new police dog trained to find explosives, drugs, and to conduct building searches.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

KIPP Academy Opens the School Year With A Financial Boost The coffers of the KIPP Ujima Village Academy got a boost earlier this week, thanks to support from Senator Ben Cardin. Cardin presented the high-performing charter middle school in Coldspring with a check for $243,677. The federal money from the Fund for the Improvement of Education will be used to support the school’s extended day, week and year. "I am so pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in hosting Senator Ben Cardin. Senator Cardin’s commitment to education and our community has been made apparent, not only in his efforts to acquire this appropriation for our school, but also in his interaction with our students," said KIPP Academy Principal Shawn Toler. Toler added, "His work on behalf of KIPP Ujima Village Academy will definitely not be forgotten as we continue to help our students climb the mountain to college." The award was presented during a school assembly. Each grade had a specific role: the 5th graders performed a reading chant, while the 6th graders did a math chant; 7th and 8th graders shared essays revealing what KIPP means to them; and the 8th grade jazz band performed. Students presented Senator Cardin with tokens of appreciation before he addressed the student body. Nearly 350 students attend the KIPP Academy. The curriculum includes extended school days, class one Saturday a month and three weeks of summer school. KIPP is part of a national network of 66 schools in Knowledge Is Power Program, which has had success around the country in preparing low-income students for college. Send us the good news about your Baltimore City public school! Do you have an exciting news item on achievements in Baltimore City Public Schools? Let us know so that we can feature them in the President's SchoolSpot. Call Council President Rawlings-Blake's office at 410-396-4804 or send an e-mail to Marva Williams at marva.williams@baltimorecity.gov

City Council This Week

Monday, September 15

City Council Meeting
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
The Council meeting will be broadcast live on TV25.
Draft agenda

Wednesday, September 17

Hearing: Executive Appointments Committee, Robert Curran - Chair
10:00 AM
EA08-0095 Kishia Lynn Powell

Hearing: Budget and Appropriations Committee, Bernard C. "Jack" Young - Chair
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO08-0019 Baltimore City's Employment/Unemployment Outlook
This hearing will be broadcast live on TV25.

Thursday, September 18

Work Session: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke – Chair
4:00 PM Reeves Conference Room, 4th floor, City Hall
LO08-0023 Roundtable Discussion

Community Events

IRISH FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 12-13 Canton Waterfront Park, Friday 6pm–9pm and Saturday noon–9pm. Baltimore's celebration of the Irish community. 410-292-3658. www.baltimoreirishfest.com THE NATIONAL HEALTHY HOMES FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 12-14 Druid Hill Park (around the Reservoir), 10am-6pm. Enjoy fun-filled family activities, the Breathmobile for Asthma & Allergy Care blood lead testing and more, Free. www.leadsafe.org/festival. KOREAN AMERICAN FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 13 War Memorial Plaza, Fayette and Gay streets, 10am-10pm. A cultural program with traditional dances, tae kwon do demonstrations, games and more. 410-625-2442. www.koreansocietyofmd.org HAMPDENFEST - SEPTEMBER 13 The Avenue (W. 36th St. from Falls Rd. to Chestnut Ave.), 11am-7pm. Arts & crafts, food, live music and more. www.hampdenfest.com BALTIMORE MUSIC CONFERENCE: SEPTEMBER 17-20 www.bmcon.org The Baltimore Music Conference features four days of performances and seminars for music lovers and fledgling artists looking to break into the industry. More than 150 bands and DJs will perform at venues throughout the city. Panel sessions will include information on finding an agent, copyrighting, recording techniques, and more. September 17 to 20. For more information and tickets, go to www.bmcon.org

Saturday, September 13

BUYING INTO BALTIMORE Homebuying Fair/Neighborhood Tours: Eastern Region
Get $3,000 toward the purchase of your new home in Baltimore City!
Baltimore City College High School, 3220 The Alameda, Baltimore, MD 21218, 9am–2pm. FREE ADMISSION. Register online at www.livebaltimore.com/bibeast or call 410-637-3750..

Free Health Screenings hosted by Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church
2812 Reisterstown Rd., 9am-3pm. Blood pressure, cholesterol and HIV testing. 410-669-1800.

Ninth Annual Bug Fest
Carrie Murray Nature Center, 1901 Ridgetop Rd., 10am-4pm. Enjoy a day of bugs-cockroach races, insect cuisine and displays! All ages are welcome. Please pre-register. $6/person. 410-396-0808.

Lecture: "Loose Strands, Tight Knots"
Walters Art Museum Graham Auditorium, 600 N. Charles St., 2:00pm. Lecture by Contemporary artist Sonya Clark. The works express, in their creative process or medium, a relationship with shifting, and often highly subjective, notions of beauty while highlighting distinct forms of adornment—hair, beadwork and jewelry among them. Free. 410-547-9000

Parade of Champions
Patterson Park, 2:00pm. Mayor Dixon hosts the first annual Parade of Champions featuring three-time NBA champion Sam Cassell and Olympic gold medalist Carmelo Anthony. Also joining Mayor Dixon will be other Baltimore residents who have made their mark in athletics and academics in the past year. Following the parade, the Mayor will rename the 200 block of North Montford Street after Sam Cassell, and there will be a block party with food, autograph signing, resources and lots of fun for everyone! More information

Walk for Lupus Now
Y of Central Maryland, 900 E. 33rd St. In-person registration starts at 8:00 am. Walk Starts at 9:00 am. To register call 1-877-910-9779 or visit www.walkforlupusnowmd.kintera.org

It’s All About The Children Day
Carroll Park, Washington Blvd & Monroe St., Noon-5pm, 410-362-3758.

Art on the Gwynns Falls Trail
Leakin Park, through November 22. Free public art exhibit featuring guided tours, interactive art displays, and performances and over 20 sculptural installations.

Sunday, September 14

The Great Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K Run/1 Mile Fun Walk
St. Joseph Medical Center, 7601 Osler Drive, Towson, MD, 8:00 am. To register for the run, please visit www.greatprostatecancerchallenge.com.

Abell Community Street Fair
Abell Avenue, 12pm–5pm, music, food, silent auction, crabfeast and more. Contact Michael Raitzyk mraitzyk@aol.com

BMA Family Free Sundays
Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr., 410-338-4397. www.artbma.org

Tuesday, September 16

Procurement Expo for Small, Minority and Women-Owned Businesses
Martin's West, 6817 Dogwood Rd., 8am-12pm, Contact Carla Tucker at 410-887-3119 or ctucker@baltimorecountymd.gov.

Thursday, September 18

3rd Annual William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Fundraiser
The Hippodrome, 6pm. Keynote speaker is Dr. Randall Pinkett, Season 4 winner of "The Apprentice." www.wepscf.org

Upcoming/Ongoing

More Medical Assistance for Maryland Families through the Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act During the recent Maryland legislative session, state lawmakers passed the Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act, which expands medical assistance eligibility to parents with dependent children with annual incomes up to $20,500 for a family of three. Parents and relatives caring for children can also apply to receive free comprehensive health care coverage, including doctor visits, low cost or free prescriptions and other services. Get more information at 1-800-456-8900, your local health department or www.marylandSAIL.org. Maryland Science Center Offers Transportation Grants to Maryland Schools Grants are to help offset travel costs on field trips during the school year. Any Maryland school booking and completing a visit in September, October, November or December can apply for a grant of $100 for use toward bus transportation. $100 grants are on a first-come first-served basis and limited to one grant per reservation. Limited funds are available. Call 410-685-5225. Attention Principals And Teachers: Free Educational Field Trips To Port Discovery Children's Museum Funding is available for over 13,000 children, Pre-K to 5th Grade. Exhibits and programs are aligned with Maryland State Voluntary School Curriculum and Maryland Reading Readiness Program. Pre and post lesson plans are available. To register, call 410.864.2664 or email kgulick@portdiscovery.org.

Free Prostate Cancer Screenings - Early detection helps beat the odds against prostate cancer, so don’t miss this life-saving opportunity to take advantage of free screenings being offered in October at the following local churches:

October 4th – New Shiloh Baptist Church
October 5th – New Antioch Baptist Church
October 5th – New Psalmist Baptist Church
October 12th – Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church
October 19th – Empowerment Temple

For more information or to schedule a screening, please call Nancy Cromwell at 443-738-8185.

Hampden Flea Market needs vendors, flea market is Oct. 11, 9am-3pm, Roosevelt Park, $15 fee, contact Allen at ahicks6@verizon.net.